Food Security
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Slow progress towards more secure EBT cards highlights the challenges ahead for states
The U.S. Agriculture Department doesn’t have a timeline for fully moving food assistance accounts to industry-standard chip cards, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to digital theft.
Bipartisan deal looks to punt shutdown threat into December
States and cities don't need to fear federal worker furloughs in the near future.
More Americans go hungry after COVID relief measures end
About 13.5% of households were food insecure in 2023, with 10 states seeing increases in food insecurity.
Impasse on SNAP benefits holds up farm bill
The current law expires at the end of September. Congress appears likely to extend the 2018 farm bill again.
The government spends millions to open grocery stores in food deserts. The real test is their survival.
In 2018, Illinois officials highlighted the opening of six stores through a $13.5 million grocery initiative. Four of them have closed.
13 states with Republican governors opt out of summer food program for kids
They cite opposition to ‘welfare’ and administrative costs in declining to participate in Summer EBT.
State looks to expand food assistance program to restaurants
Nevada's Restaurant Meals Program would allow people 60 or older, those who are disabled and people experiencing homelessness enrolled in SNAP to buy meals at participating restaurants.
Free school meals for all may reduce childhood obesity
COMMENTARY | Growing research is showing the benefits of universal free school meals for the health and well-being of children, including a slowing in the rise of childhood obesity rates.
As millions wait on food stamp approvals, feds tell states to speed it up
To adequately staff safety net programs, some states are boosting workforce funding, and others are investing in new computer systems to speed up claims processing. But food security advocates say recent backlogs are a symptom of long-term disinvestment.
5 things your city can do right now to become more food resilient
COMMENTARY | The work cities do to build resilience before, during or after a crisis like a pandemic or natural disaster can lay the foundation for sustained access to quality, nutritious food.
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Which states will join the new summer meal program for low-income kids? Here’s the list.
Thirty-five states are participating in the 2024 launch of a program that will provide low-income families $40 per child for groceries during the summer months when schools are not in session.
This land is our land: States crack down on foreign-owned farm fields
As foreigners buy up American agricultural land, lawmakers want to keep certain countries out.
Food assistance for new moms and toddlers projected to fall short
The number of low-income women signing up for the federal Women, Infants and Children program is sharply increasing. But funding levels don't look likely to change.
Post-pandemic, SNAP benefits aren’t high enough to buy food
A new study finds that people in three-quarters of the nation’s counties don’t receive enough food assistance to pay for their groceries.
Work requirements for SNAP don’t get people into jobs
COMMENTARY | Work requirements for SNAP benefits don't boost employment, a study finds. Instead, they have adverse effects on homeless people.
Nebraska, FBI Partner to Raise Awareness of Agriculture Threats
A two-day event seeks to highlight rising threats in the sector, including bioterrorism or biowarfare.
